Kentucky Educational Television (KET) faces budget shortfalls following the elimination of federal funding for public broadcasting.
The decreased funding will result in a 22 percent staff reduction. KET plans on cutting 36 positions, which includes laying off 15 staff members and eliminating 21 positions. Reported by the independent non-profit Current, KET originally had 158 full-time employees before the announcement. Now, according to the Kentucky Lantern, the workforce will be reduced to 122.
KET’s lack of funding stems from a bill known as the Recissions Act, passed earlier last summer by the U.S. Senate. According to the Associated Press, the bill includes $9 billion in cuts, including deep reductions to public broadcasting.
The Recissions Act specifically aims to target federal funding given to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The bill called for CPB funds to be transferred to the Department of the Treasury for the purpose of reducing public debt. As a result, programs like the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and the National Public Radio (NPR) were hit with financial cuts because the significant funding, given to them by CPB, was reallocated elsewhere.
In KET’s 2024 annual report, 13% of its funding, or $3.9 million, came from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. While the federal funding is not the station’s primary revenue source, the loss of $3.9 million will still have devastating effects.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., approved of the cuts saying it was a “small but important step for fiscal sanity that we all should be able to agree is long overdue.”
However, the funds for public broadcasting being cut means PBS, and smaller stations affiliated with PBS like KET, are left relying on donations, grants and other sources of funding.
“It is a sad but unavoidable situation for our dedicated team, and the loss will affect operations throughout the agency,” said Shae Hopkins, executive director and CEO. “However, even during this difficult time, KET remains committed as ever to serving Kentuckians across the Commonwealth.”
KET provides numerous services including accessibility to news, especially regarding the state legislature and important government information. The station has provided live coverage of the Kentucky General Assembly, Kentucky Supreme Court and has archived meetings available on its website.
Aside from the state government, KET reports on public safety and informs the public of content that is historically and culturally specific to Kentucky.
However, adult Kentuckians are not the only demographic impacted. KET reports that over 200,000 children use their services every week and KET programs are used in every Kentucky public school district. It also airs shows like “Sesame Street” giving young children access to early education resources they may not have elsewhere.
Despite the decreasing budget and staff, KET has administered measures to both combat this issue and continue spreading news to Kentuckians.
KET stated that earlier this year it began operational changes, leaving positions vacant and implementing additional cost-saving measures. They will continue upholding these measures for the foreseeable future.
Although the elimination of federal funding will continue to negatively affect the station, KET claims to still be committed to its mission of providing educational and informative services to people across the Commonwealth. Through grants, donations and staffing changes, it hopes to reduce the impact and continue serving Kentucky.
Photo courtesy of KET.
